It is just about a fortnight before the start of the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) but signals from the camp of the national team, The Cranes, indicate it is not ready for the momentous occasion.
After 39 years on the fringes of international football, there is a great deal of public anticipation, but it is disheartening that the mood has been dampened by poor preparations.
Local football-governing body Fufa has reportedly been forced to cancel two scheduled friendly matches against Gabon and Libya, blaming the development on the government’s failure to act swiftly on its promise to fund the team’s preparations.
Fufa is not blameless either as it presented its final Shs 4.4bn budget on December 20, yet expected government to provide the required funds immediately.
Such procrastination on the part of the federation is unacceptable, considering that Afcon qualification was guaranteed on September 4.
As a result, scheduled training camps in Tunisia and Dubai are now in doubt, not to mention friendly games against Slovakia and Ivory Coast, which would have given our boys much-needed exposure.
Subsequently, Uganda faces the possibility of going to Gabon without any meaningful warm-up matches. As a contingency measure, Fufa has organised a fundraising dinner on January 10, 2017, with President Museveni expected to be the chief fundraiser.
The Cranes Afcon mission in Gabon is an important national project that shouldn’t rely on begging. It’s incumbent on the government to fully-facilitate the The Cranes. In case of Fufa mismanagement, as has been alleged, it’s still the duty of government to demand accountability for all public monies spent.
Let government take the lead to ensure The Cranes get the best preparations possible and avoid the kind of embarrassment that many a Ugandan team at international event has faced.
Between the government and Fufa, things such as players’ allowances, travel expenses and bonuses, all of which play an important role in motivating teams, should be catered for.
Without an urgent intervention by the powers that be, Uganda’s triumphant return to the high table of African football might end in embarrassment.